Two suspects linked to the brutal murder of Hon. Justice Azuka, a prominent Anambra lawmaker, have managed to escape from police custody during an operation. The incident, which has sparked widespread concern, follows the grim discovery of Azuka’s decomposing body at the Second Niger Bridge on February 6, nearly two months after his abduction.
Hon. Justice Azuka, who represented the Onitsha 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, was kidnapped on the eve of last Christmas. His abduction shocked the state and drew attention to the escalating security challenges in the region. After weeks of uncertainty and investigation, his body was found dumped at the bridge, confirming the worst fears of his family and constituents.
The two suspects who escaped were among a group recently apprehended by state security agencies, including the Agunaechemba, the Anambra State Anti-Tout Squad (SASA), and the Nigerian Police.
At a press briefing held in Awka, Anambra’s Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, confirmed the arrest of nine individuals in connection with the crime. During the operation, two pump-action guns were seized from the suspects, and one suspect was reported to have sustained a gunshot wound after a confrontation with security forces.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Ugochukwu Onuorah (30), Ikemefuna Ossai (20), Ikenna Orugu (27), Chibuike Obiefuna (19), Chinonso Olisa (19), Chinedu Okoli (21), David Ojini (25), and Peter Sunday (20). The police noted that Peter Sunday, who had a tattoo reading “No Peace 4 the Government” on his chest, was particularly notorious. The group of suspects, many of whom are young, have been linked to various criminal activities in the region.
The escape of the two suspects has raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of the operation and the integrity of the law enforcement process. In response, the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, PhD, has ordered the immediate deployment of all available resources to re-arrest the fugitives. A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer of Anambra State, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed that the two suspects managed to flee during an operation aimed at apprehending a receiver of stolen goods and recovering vehicles used in their criminal activities.
The operation had initially led to the arrest of the receiver and the recovery of two vehicles believed to have been stolen from unsuspecting members of the public. However, the escape of the two suspects marred the success of the operation, with authorities now focusing on their recapture.
The Commissioner of Police assured the public that efforts are underway to ensure the swift re-arrest of the suspects and to bring them to justice. Furthermore, any officers found negligent in their duties during the operation would face disciplinary action. The state police have vowed to intensify their efforts to combat rising criminal activities in Anambra and ensure that those responsible for the heinous murder of Hon. Azuka are held accountable.
Azuka’s murder has not only shocked the political community in Anambra but has also intensified calls for improved security measures in the region. As the investigation continues, residents of the state are urging the police to ensure that justice is served swiftly, bringing closure to the tragic loss of the late lawmaker.
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